SEVEN YEARS AGO TODAY...

... my lovely Dad passed away. I still miss him every day. Love you Dad. xx

CHRISTINA SEEMS...

... to be much more relaxed since the decision to end the relationship with Tim was finally made. She's much calmer than she's been for the past few days, thankfully. I know there will be difficult days ahead as we all get used to living together again, but I'm sure we'll cope. Had a busy day in the kitchen - this time doing stuff for our family meal tomorrow. Have just come through to the living room where I was hoping to relax in front of the telly, only to discover that Charles is in the middle of watching flippin Spiderman. Aaaargh!

FOOTIE BACK TODAY!!

Not that there's much hope of a victory for us really. Then again SAFC are playing Man Utd so they probably haven't much hope either. Not sure about the other fixtures but I suppose we need to have a look. I don't think I'll be desperate to find a live stream mind you!!

NO LIONHEART TODAY!

Boo! Was looking forward to seeing if anything could beat the last show in terms of surreal listening. Very disappointed!! However, it did mean that we were able to go into Newcastle with James and Claire for a spot of lunch and a mooch around the shops. A very pleasant couple of hours! Cames back to discover that Christina and Tim have decided to call it a day. Not surprised in the slightest. Looks like we've got a lodger again.

A DAY OFF??

IN FACT A WHOLE WEEKEND OFF!! What is this? It's never happened before. I know I had a week off at Christmas, but that was different because there's all the Christmas stuff to do so it's never a real break, but this Easter business is rather different. We haven't really decided what we're doing, just that Easter eggs are not going to feature in our plans. We ought to organise a family meal perhaps? I can see what's going to happen here... ... the concept of relaxing is one that is so alien to me, I'm going to have to invent things to be doing in order to remain relatively sane!

LOVE MY HAIR!!

Gone a bit lighter and have had highlights put in. Loving it. Thanks Andrea!!

SO THERES A...

... holiday weekend coming up. Who knew? It seems to have passed me by to be honest. Need to start thinking about what we could do, especially as some lucky members of the family seem to have time off work for a week or so. One thing that would be good would be to be able to get some sleep. This carpal tunnel thing is becoming very tedious and is managing to spoil my sleep every night now. I've been given one splint, but it's for the left hand which is only just beginning to show symptoms. The splint for the right hand should arrive in a few days. I can only hope it will have some impact otherwise it'll be sleepless nights up to 19th April when I go in for my surgery. Christina's still with us. She had a good night (lucky her) and seems to have woken in a calm and relaxed mood. Hope it lasts!

CHRISTINA'S HERE

Seems okay really. Wasn't sure what to expect after yesterday, but she seems calm enough at the moment, in fact she seems exhausted and has taken herself off to bed for a bit of a nap. James and Hannah are coming round after work so it'll be interesting to see how she is then. Can't help being a bit on edge.

OKAY, SO BASICALLY...

... the mental health team will only intervene when there is danger to life. Never mind that we can see all too clearly that help is definitely needed, never mind the effect it is having on OUR mental state - all they can do is offer counselling sessions, which she's had for months - just shows how effective that's been!

NOT A GOOD...

... start to the day. Had to ring the mental health team after a few disturbing phone calls from Christina and Tim. Won't say too much here but we're very anxious that things may be spiralling downhill rapidly. Fortunately there is an appointment later this week so maybe issues can be nipped in the bud before becoming really serious. It all takes its toll on OUR mental well-being too and I think we are both feeling pretty shaky today. That aside, I'm just carrying on with getting ready for tomorrow's deliveries - standing in the kitchen, watching the snow steadily falling...

SNEAK PEEK...

... at today's cake. I'm not putting it on facebook yet, but I don't think I need to worry about the recipient stumbling over this blog!! Obviously the Birthday Girl enjoys reading, drinking Chablis and knitting baby clothes!!

NO SIGN OF KEVIN...

... this morning and he's going away for Easter apparently so I may not set eyes on him again for a while. This is no bad thing the way I'm feeling right now. Had a pretty busy day so far. Did delivery, went to the bank then did some shopping, dropped a letter round at James and Claires, tried not to spend too much money at the cake decorating shop, came home and marzipanned and sugarpasted a fruit cake that's going out in a few days, then got started on the decoration. Having a cuppa now!!

IS IT EVER...

... going to get warm again? We've just been to Morpeth, walked about 500 metres from the car to the coffee shop and were completely nithered!! Tears streaming down cheeks. I swear you wouldn't last more than a few seconds if you went outside naked!!

LOOKING FORWARD ...

... to meal at Fujiyamas this evening. In fact I could eat it now if I'm honest!! Not much happening today. We were going to go out and do a few boring things this morning - bank, shops, garden centre - but it's so bitterly cold we've wimped out and chosen to stay in the warm. I've been baking biscotti and have just put a batch of hot-cross buns to proove. This'll be interesting, it's the first time I've attempted them! Here's the biscotti though...

A YEAR AGO TODAY...

... it was 20 degrees warmer than it is today!! #brrrrrrr

HAVEN'T BEEN SACKED!

Kevin was too busy to talk to Charles this morning!!

SACKED?!?!

I may be today! Had a real run in with Kevin yesterday because I DARED to remind him that his account was getting out of control again and needed to be paid. Apparently I'm being heavy-handed and he doesn't need to be reminded. Well, let me tell you, I NEVER know when I'm going to be paid, he takes no notice of our very comprehensive invoicing system, he NEVER pays the full amount and he seems to think it amusing to ask, "How little will you accept?" So, after some very heated emails exchanged between him and Charles last night, I have refused to go to the coffee shop today, Charles has taken his order and if it turns out to be the last one, then so be it. There will be other opportunities I have no doubt about that.

FILLING YOUR DIESEL CAR...

... with unleaded petrol is a clear indicator that early retirement is essential. Well done for managing to do both in the same week Charles!!

CHARLES HAS...

... gone off to do the Centurion delivery this morning, leaving me to wait in for the dry goods to arrive. It's a big order for me today as I seem to have exhausted all my supplies of flour and sugar etc, so I'm having a good stock up which means we won't be able to get moved in the utility room!! Looks like I'll be having help with the deliveries every day from September!!

KNACKERED!!

Feel as if I've chased my tail all day today. Hopefully we've got a pleasantly relaxed evening with Hannah, James and Claire to look forward to.

STUCK IN THE HOUSE!!!

Aaaarghhhh!! Need to go out to get more eggs. (I've managed to get through 20 dozen in just short of a fortnight!!) Right now I can't get on with anything until I get some more and I am so frustrated. Can't leave the house because I'm expecting delivery this morning. It'll probably not get here until close to the end of the 'window' ie 12pm by which time no doubt we'll be in the grip of blizzard conditions if the weather forecast is to be believed. Got this Papal inauguration thing on the telly. Not sure why really. Wish they'd learn to sing a bit more tunefully!

WITNESSED A NASTY...

... collision on the Blue House Roundabout this morning. It was one of those occasions when I could absolutely see what was going to happen, but unfortunately there were two drivers who were completely oblivious of each other and there was an almighty crunch. It happened right in front of me. The car I'd been behind all the way from Osborne Road indicated to turn right on the roundabout, as did I. We both moved onto the roundabout and the car in front was just about to exit when another car drove straight into the side of it. I wasn't sure whether to stop and in the end just drove on to keep the traffic flowing. I don't think anyone would be have been hurt otherwise I would certainly have stopped.

TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY...

... GUTTED.

CANNOT WATCH THIS HORROR SHOW!!

Pacing round the house, trying to listen, but not to hear if you know what I mean. Can't watch. Awful performance. Shocking tackle and lack of punishment. Loss of Haidara, Debuchy and, of course, earlier in the week, Ben Arfa. Hating this.

JUST BACK...

... from town, where we met Hannah for lunch. We picked Christina up from the farm on the way through and left the two of them together discussing the relative merits of CBT!!! Spent an enjoyable half hour in Lakeland where I found the most gorgeous kettle and toaster, but resisted buying it until we are ready to move into a new place!!! Ha ha ha - it'll probably not be made any more by that time!! Wooden handles, soft green finish - very stylish! Tee hee - have just seen the Sunderland/Norwich score - and it suits us very nicely thank you. Dreading our match against Wigan - you just never know with them...

JUST WAITING...

... for a birthday cake to be collected. Always a tense time! Will they like it? Is it what they were expecting? Mind you, in this case I think I'm okay because it's the third cake I've made for this customer and they've all been exactly the same!! Had a quick trip to Morpeth this morning leaving Charles to get his head round what on earth happened during the first hour of the radio show yesterday!! Not sure what's on the cards later, but I'm feeling decidedly soporific already so it may be 40 winks for me!!

OOH

Where did that go?? Just thinking aloud earlier!! Sorry Dannymatt!

MORNING OFF!!

Well, after the Applebys delivery that is. Going to spend the morning at the hairdressers and with Christina in Morpeth. Nice!!

HELLOOO THERE PETAL!!

Is the cry, delivered with gusto, by David our local shopkeeper. Just thought I'd mention that as I as in the shop earlier and experienced ten minutes of totally surreal hilarity which is something we'll really miss when we eventually up sticks and move to Gosforth. Haven't had much time to relax today, hence the late start on the blog. Just had a text from Kevin in the last five minutes trying to convince me that I ought to be doing another delivery tomorrow as he's sold all the quiche I took this morning. Sadly for him I have made a hair appointment as we had decided that he could wait till Saturday, so he will have to come and get it himself if he's that desperate!! Got Christina here for the night. She was going to dog-sit when we thought we would go to the match, but Charles seems to have gone off the idea so we're just staying at home and watching it on telly and Christina has come round anyway!!

YEAH DANNYMATT!

It's the equivalent of talking to ourselves and we both know what that means!!

YEAH DANNYMATT!

It's the equivalent of talking to ourselves and we both know what that means!!

SO THE PLAN WAS...

... make the quiches and big cakes for Centurion. Prepare traybakes, bakewells and brownies plus more big cakes for Kevin and then... ... go to Morpeth for a while. Little mooch round the shops, bit of 'ME' time. Obviously boring food shopping too, but it would be so nice to get out for a while. And then Charles rings to say he's got the Rav key in his pocket, but not to worry because there's a spare in the messy drawer. NO THERE ISN'T. There's a key FOB to which no key is attached. This means that I can't move the Rav and so can't move the Peugeot and consequently will not be going to Morpeth today. Brilliant. Don't even know why he's got the keys with him anyway. He hasn't been driving it recently...

I'M BEGINNING TO...

... think that the blog is a bit of a waste of time. I know I've said this before but a)it hardly ever features the girls any more - and that was the very reason for setting it up in the first place, b)I live such a boring and predictable life that nothing of interest ever happens and c) I'm starting to forget to write it, which is something I never used to do. Mostly I'm just so busy with baking, delivering baking or shopping for baking that I never seem to do anything else. Maybe I should just close down the Lily and Rose blog and restart the baking blog. But if I do that I'll feel disloyal to the girls - stupid I know, like they're bothered. Hmm what to do!?

IT'S TUESDAY...

... so I'm off to Radcliffes. Grrrrr!

AND THE UPSHOT IS...

I couldn't rest until I'd found out what was going on at Radcliffes. Sent a text saying that I hoped everything was okay and that I was bit worried as I hadn't heard anything from the. Got a text from Kevin blaming Andrew (his assistant) and saying that he had told Kevin that he had placed an order. A few seconds later Andrew sends a text to say they've had words, it's always Kevin's job to do the order for a Monday. Typical lack of communication from the pair of them and unfortunately I'm the one caught in the middle. So now they need a rather large delivery tomorrow and also on Thursday and probably Saturday. Actually if we can manage to get their order AND the centurion order in the car at the same time that will be really good use of time.

STILL NO WORD...

... from Kevin. I reckon this could be the end of a beautiful (!!!) relationship. Watch this space...

IT MAY BE ABOUT...

... five hours since we got home from the match, and our bungalow is pretty warm and cosy, but I can honestly say that I am only just starting to thaw out. Despite all the layers, I can't remember ever being so cold at SJP. Great result today mind, but not easy to watch. Still it gets us up to 13th. Spent a lot of the match checking my phone for texts from Kevin - Nothing. Even now - nothing. So, he's not getting a delivery tomorrow. Feels a bit strange but I'm determined to get him to plan the ordering with a little bit of consideration for ME! Actually, I'm pretty relieved that I won't be going anywhere first thing because we've got a good covering of snow and hail, all of which will be nicely frozen in the morning. The forecast for the week looks pretty bad as well.

HAD A FAB TIME...

... at Ahad last night. Excellent food, great service, lovely company - just perfect. Thank you James, Christina and Claire. Woke up to another freezing morning, with blustery snow showers and periods of sunshine. Very odd. It's brilliant sun at the back of the house and dark and snowy at the front!! Getting ready to go to the match. Annoyingly I haven't had an order from Kevin yet and I am determined that I'm not going to remind him this time. It'll be interesting to see exactly what time he decides to place the order and I that will determine exactly what he gets tomorrow. I'm fed up of falling over myself to do my best for him when he shows absolutely no appreciation at all. Christina gave me a gorgeous padded jacket for Mother's Day and I intend to wear that to the match as I think it is going to keep me pretty snug. Not sure about boots though? Long black Uggs, short brown Uggs, White leather Uggs, knitted Uggs, Pink flowery Doc Martens or ancient El Naturalistas??? Too many boots clearly!! But which will be warmest??

CRIKEY!!

Why am I so knackered. I could honestly go to bed now and not get up till morning! However - we're eating out later so I'd better pull myself together. Maybe a shower will help!!

LIKE WINTER AGAIN!!

No snow thank goodness, but bitterly cold, damp and grey. Hope it warms up a bit before tomorrow's match! Charles has gone to pick up Christina who will be with us for the weekend. We're all going out with James and Claire this evening to celebrate Mother's Day. Looking forward to that!

TRIED TO GET ON HERE EARLIER...

,,, and nothing was happening. Really odd - no explanation, just nothing at all. Had an early get up again today as I needed to be at James and Claire's to do a spot of house-sitting by 8.30! They were having their loft insulation fitted and needed someone to let the fitters in - and that was ME! Quite enjoyed it actually. Played around with their little espresso/cappuccino machine and was very impressed with it, so had to try it a few times just to make absolutely certain. Told Charles that I would like one when our current machine packs up and he effectively told me I was bonkers because its a capsule system and it'll cost the earth! Hmm, who cares - the coffee was great and the milk was frothed to perfection. Been in the kitchen ever since I got home at lunchtime. Today's tally is: 3 quiche, 1 apple pie, 36 cheese scones, 28 bakewell tarts, 2 trays of shortbread and 4 lardy cake. (There's a sad part of me that really wants to rearrange that list into descending numerical order and to sing it a la 12 days of Christmas - needs a bit of work but... ... oh shut up Sue, you're overtired... just stop! Okay!

TRIED TO GO BACK TO SLEEP...

... when Hannah left (tearfully) at 7.00. 7.15 - text from Christina "Are you up?" Well I was, and then I wasn't but now it looks like I am again. Great. Got up, made chocolate cake, frosted a carrot cake, cleaned the house, did the ironing... ... but still have that horrible feeling that you get when you've got to get up in the middle of the night to get to the airport. Yuk!! Cross and tired.

URRRGGGHHH!

Up early. Haven't really slept much at all thanks to a combination of the girls being restless, my hand driving me crackers and that horrible feeling you have when you know you've got to get up early that means you never actually get to sleep in the first place. Just waiting for Hannah to get organised and then I really think I might go back to bed for a couple of hours!! Yawn!

JUST HAD CHRISTINA ON THE PHONE

She really doesn't sound good tonight. I'm very worried really because we've noticed a real deterioration in her mental well-being during the last few weeks. This has coincided with Christina's insistence that she is completely well. Stressful and worrying for us all.

TELLY'S SORTED NOW!!

Actually, it was sorted pretty quickly. We've all just watched another episode of Spooks. James has just left for home and Hannah is preparing to settle down for the night. Think we all need n early night. She needs to be up and out by 7am! Aaaargh! Painful!!

JAMES HAS...

... been in the house for five minutes and has managed to wreck the telly already! His only comment so far was, "Don't tell Dad!"

HANNAH REALLY MUST BE...

... suffering. She's just sent a text asking if she can stay overnight tomorrow. Obviously can't face going back to the flat. Don't you just wish you could take all the pain away?

WOW!!

Have just baked a batch of orange and cranberry scones, and I have to say they are fabulous. Hope Kevin will like these and will want to order more because the kitchen smells AMAZING right now!!

YAPPY DOGS!!

Wow, they're driving me nuts today - and it's not even 8.30 yet. They keep scratching at their door to go out and then all they want to do is to stand up at the fence barking their heads off. This isn't good. Aaaargh - have just looked outside and it looks like we're getting an oil delivery. Something else for them to bark about then!

SO, HANNAH'S EX...

... has moved on already. Now it really IS time to pick up the pieces.

CONTINUATION OF THE WEEKEND!!

How lovely. James and Claire had taken a day's holiday today and, after they'd had a drive up to Warkworth and a fish and chip lunch at Amble, they called in here and really brightened up my afternoon. Can't remember the last time that happened. Lovely company!

HEY DANNYMATT!

No I haven't, but I surely will. Thanks for the recommendation!!

THANK YOU JAMES AND CLAIRE...

... for a really lovely morning! Breakfast was lovely, the little bit of shopping was great, but the best bit was the house hunting. Thank you for coming with us. I'm still laughing about all the 'oohs' and 'aahs'!!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO...

... a morning in town with James and Claire. We haven't done this for ages, so it will be a nice change. Annoyingly, despite sending a reminder, I've had no order through from Kevin for tomorrow yet, so I'm slightly on edge about that because I never know what he's likely to need these days. That could mean a whole afternoon in the kitchen OR I may find that I've already made everything he wants. Who know? And I'm not going to even think about it while we're out this morning. Hopefully, if there's time, we might drive round to Brunton Village to show them the house we saw yesterday. How can we be looking for a Victorian terrace in Gosforth and end up falling in love with a new build on an estate?

BEAUTIFUL DAY!!

Absolutely gorgeous morning. Sunny, still chilly, but really Springlike and so welcome! Going to take Christina over to the farm in a while. No idea if she will be staying there or coming back here!! (Hmmm - this is funny - I posted this before we went out today and it has only just appeared. How very odd!)

JUST BEEN TO LOOK...

... at some new builds in the Great Park area. This was a HUGE mistake!! Aaaaaaarrrrrgggggh!!

UP EARLY...

... deliveries to go to Applebys and Radcliffes, quick stop off at Tescos and round to James's office to pick up series 3 and 4 of Spooks (totally addicted!!) Back later!!